This is the third album from Portuguese black metallers Gaerea.
With 2018’s Unsettling Whispers and then 2020’s Limbo, Gaerea have made a formidable name for themselves in the modern black metal killing arenas. Does third album Mirage continue this spree, or find them falling by the wayside? Continue reading “Gaerea – Mirage (Review)”
Nordjevel are a Norwegian black metal band and this is their third album.
Following on from 2021’s fiery Fenrir EP, (of which Gnawing the Bones reappears here), Gnavhòl is a 55-minute expression of black metal darkness. Continue reading “Nordjevel – Gnavhòl (Review)”
This is the second album from Celestial Grave, a black metal band from Finland.
Across 34 minutes Celestial Grave deliver an underground strain of black metal that’s raw and sharp, yet is not lacking an atmospheric and emotive side. Continue reading “Celestial Grave – Vitriolic Atonement (Review)”
This is the fifth album from French black metal band Acod.
Fourth Reign over Opacities and Beyond is a 52-minute journey into Acod’s lovingly-crafted world. Continue reading “Acod – Fourth Reign over Opacities and Beyond (Review)”
Moynoq are a black metal band from the US and this is their second album.
Filled with pain and anguish, A Place for Ash spends 40 minutes subjecting the listener to a withering barrage of dark, passionate black metal. Continue reading “Mo’ynoq – A Place for Ash (Review)”
This is the second album from Mourir, a black metal band from France.
This is the follow up to 2020’s Animal Bouffe Animal, and delivers 38 minutes of utter blackened darkness. Mourir, (who contain members of Drawers and Plebeian Grandstand), specialise in modern black metal, with unhinged daemonic vocals and more oppressive, malignant atmosphere than a lot of people will be able to handle. Continue reading “Mourir – Disgrâce (Review)”
Toadeater are a post-black metal; band from Germany and this is their third album.
Bexadde delivers 44 minutes of black metal across four lengthy nightmarescapes. Blending atmospheric components into a post-blackened framework, Toadeater’s music is compelling and satisfying. Continue reading “Toadeater – Bexadde (Review)”
This is the second album from German black metal band Unru.
Die Wiederkehr des Verdrängten actually saw the light of day back in March, but I’ve been listening to it a lot and I just had to give it the attention it deserves with a review. I’ve enjoyed Unru’s work for a while, (check out the band’s 2014 split with Paramnesia and their 2016 debut album Als Tier ist der Mensch Nichts), but this new one is a different beast. The Unru of 2022 have crafted their most expansive, ambitious, and affecting work yet. Continue reading “Unru – Die Wiederkehr des Verdrängten (Review)”
Wampyric Rites are a black metal band from Ecuador and this is their second album.
The Wolves Howl to the Moon contains 35 minutes of raw, undergound, old-school black metal. There’s no messing around; Wampyric Rites mean business. Continue reading “Wampyric Rites – The Wolves Howl to the Moon (Review)”
Olhava are a Russian ambient/post-black metal band and this is their fifth album.
2021’s Frozen Bloom was an enjoyable blend of atmospheric post-blackened intensity and shimmering dark ambience. Have Olhava managed to recreate their dark magic once again? Continue reading “Olhava – Reborn (Review)”
Wonderbox Metal 